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Options For Emergency Know-How

Thursday, March 14th, 2013 by admin

Last week my kitty seemed so needy. She would follow me around and strike out with her paw at my ankle to get me to sit and pet her.

I went to my friend’s home to rug hook and her dog was a bit needy and my friend said she had been for a few days. My other friend said her cat had been a little bit more friendlier this week. We wondered if we were going to get the big earthquake we expect here along the Wasatch front. (We sure hope not, it is too cold—as though there is a good time for an emergency).

Even if you haven’t been hit with big snow storms, ice storms, wind or any other kind of storm you may want to visit this website from the CDC on emergency preparedness.

I checked this out and I was impressed with the range of information they give. And who knew The Centers for Disease Control did more than just work on diseases? I know that was a simplistic explanation—sorry Julie. (She is my daughter who works for CDC). That is not a typo—the C in CDC stands for Centers, not Center as we usually hear it pronounced.

I wish you trouble free days but just in case check this out.

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I Am Enough

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013 by admin

“No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I AM ENOUGH. Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worth of love and belonging”…..Brene Brown

Doesn’t this give you great hope in being able to conquer clutter? We won’t get it all done today but even when things are left undone, we are enough.

Like the famous quote from Scarlett, “Tomorrow is another day”. For today—I am enough.

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Now Is The Perfect Time To…

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 by admin

“If you had an hour to live and could make only one phone call—who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?”—Stephen Levine (an author)

Tell Three People (Today) how much you love them—what a powerful message. This is from the book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff”

I hope someone out there reading this is touched by this Wednesday’s thought and acts on it and then lets us know how you felt and what responses you received.

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Great-Looking But Not Clutter Free

Thursday, June 21st, 2012 by admin

Have you ever noticed there is beauty all around? Or do you see clutter all around? These photos were taken back in Virginia. The wild flowers were such a pleasant surprise. We had just finished grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s (coming to Utah by the way—Yeah). As we were getting on the freeway we saw this beautiful field of flowers. (We went back later to get this photo). Now we could have said, “The houses are ruining the shot or there are sure a lot of weeds.” If we had done this we would have missed this lovely experience of walking among these beautiful flowers in the middle of a busy city.

The second photo I took as we were crossing a bridge on a morning bike ride. The river and the trees and bushes were beautiful. I didn’t even see the electric lines until I took the photo. They do detract from the beauty but I was able to look right past them.

In your home do you focus on getting rid of clutter without enjoying other things about your home? If the clutter is holding you back from having a less stressful and happy life then it is time to do something about it—take the bull by the horns so to speak and create beauty in one little part of your home today by getting rid of clutter (letting go of) .

For me I wanted to create some beauty so to speak in my garage. It was organized so I thought it would take about 15 minutes to do what I wanted to do. But then I got really creative and it took me an hour to create my beauty in this space. It is such a great feeling to have it organized.

Do you look for the beauty all around or do you look for the clutter? (Frankly I do both)

Posted in Clutter, Getting Rid of Clutter, Sage Advice, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Be Bold When Doing Clutter Control

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 by admin

“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.”—Henry van Dyke

I have women write and tell me that they struggle with clutter control and they get discouraged. This thought is for you.

Just because clutter control doesn’t come naturally or you don’t enjoy doing it—if this is one of your goals then just keep on keeping on.

Life happens and sometimes it is harder than at other times, but as we keep doing it does become easier—this I promise.

Posted in Clutter Control, Sage Advice | 5 Comments »

Gurgle, Slosh, Oh No! Getting Organized Can Help

Monday, November 8th, 2010 by admin

Here is a tip I read that is very timely if you are traveling for the holidays or going to be away from your home for the weekend. If you have read my blog in the past few days you know that’s what I am doing—traveling. Read on to discover how being organized can help prevent accidents.

This actually happened to a friend of mine; when they got home from a 2 week vacation water was pouring all over their hardwood floor on the main level of their home and the ceiling had collapsed.

Washing machine hose failure is one of the biggest causes of household water damage. Property destruction by water exceeds that of fire.

Here are some things you can do to get organized and prevent this from happening to you:

1. Turn off the water to the hose when you leave for an extended period of time.

2. Make sure your machine’s existing water hoses are sturdy—the best are the braided type.

3. Replace the hose about every six or seven years.

4. A plumber can install an automatic shutoff valve. This might be pricey.

Have you ever replaced your hoses? Do you turn off the water to your washing machine when you are gone for an extended period?

Posted in Laundry Room, Sage Advice | 2 Comments »

A Penny? Nickel? Clutter Control To The Rescue?

Monday, October 25th, 2010 by admin

Identity Theft can be avoided with Clutter Control. My brother called me for my birthday last week and was telling me he was the victim of identify fraud and he has no idea how they got his banking information. Here is some great information from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

“If you see a small, curious amount on your credit card you can’t identify, call your card issuer right away. There’s a strong likelihood it’s a “test” by a credit thief to learn if your card is good. If the micro charge goes through uncaught, it could be the prelude to a spending binge on your card or the theft of your financial identity”.

Identify theft makes me so mad. Do everything you can to prevent fraud! If you have a handle on clutter control it will easier for you to know what is going on and hopefully easier to prevent it.

Posted in Office/Paper Work, Sage Advice | 4 Comments »

Clearing Clutter Isn’t About Stuff–Or Is It?

Friday, October 8th, 2010 by admin

What does organizing do for you? It relieves stress—the stress of looking for things when we are in a hurry or even when we’re not in a hurry. I know when I can’t find something it makes me cross. It irks me when I am asked, “Where did you have it last”. If I knew that then I wouldn’t be searching for it would I?

Because we live busy lives it is even more important to clear clutter. The less clutter we have the better we feel about our self and the less stress we have.—don’tchathink?

When clearing clutter don’t focus on the stuff—focus on what you want that room or that space to look like. The stuff takes care of itself when your shift your focus. You’ll be able to find places for it or you will be able to let it go.

What is your favorite technique for clearing clutter?

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Sage Advice | 2 Comments »

Spontaneous Glitch Puts Clutter Control On Hold

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 by admin

Excitement reigned! I was told my web site was good to go and I could post pictures again. Then we found a glitch and we couldn’t post them. I thought this is just how it is with clutter control sometimes.

We have a plan and we know just what we are going to do to reduce clutter and then something unexpected happens and we have a setback even though our intentions were good.

Just like Scarlett from Gone With The Wind would say, “Tomorrow Is Another Day”. After unexpected life events we can get back to clutter control another day. And eventually we will be back to posting here on my website.

What unexpected events keep you from clutter control and how do you overcome them?
Clutter Control with Professional Organizer Marilyn Bohn

Posted in Clutter Control, Sage Advice | 3 Comments »